Emmy nominee Calista Flockhart is returning to TV: She's just snagged a major role in new CBS series "Supergirl."

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Flockhart will play Cat Grant, described by THR as "the self-made media magnate and founder of CatCo. Cat started her career as a reporter and has built her company into a global powerhouse."

"Supergirl" marks Flockhart's first foray into television in almost four years, following the 2011 end of ABC drama "Brothers & Sisters" after five seasons. Flockhart also earned critical acclaim for her run on "Ally McBeal."

Melissa Benoist ("Glee," "Whiplash") will star as the titular superheroine, a.k.a. Kara Zor-El, who works as Cat's assistant. Kara is Superman's cousin, and escaped Krypton in much the same way as her more famous relative, and has been living with a foster family on Earth ever since.

Though she's denied her powers her entire life, 24-year-old Kara eventually comes to terms with her abilities after "an unexpected disaster forces her to use her powers in public," per THR. The synopsis continues:

Energized by her heroic deed, for the first time in her life Kara begins embracing her extraordinary abilities. She begins helping the people of her city, and they soon take notice. She's even given a new moniker: Supergirl.

Laura Benanti ("Nashville") and Mehcad Brooks ("Necessary Roughness," "True Blood") also star. The show is still in the pilot stage; no word yet on when it shoots or when it may be featured on CBS's schedule.

[via: The Hollywood Reporter]

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